The Weight of a Crown III
640 Words
The palace training yard was quiet under the moonlight.
Most of the knights had finished their evening drills and returned to the barracks. Wooden training dummies stood scattered across the courtyard, and racks of practice swords lined the stone walls.
Eanora stepped into the courtyard with excitement sparkling in her eyes.
Kyle followed behind her with a sigh.
“I knew you were going to drag me here,” he said.
“You complain too much.”
“You make dangerous decisions too often.”
Eanora grabbed two wooden practice swords from the rack and tossed one toward him.
Kyle caught it automatically.
“You’re wearing a royal dress,” he pointed out.
“I’ll survive.”
Kyle shook his head.
“You’re reckless.”
“And you’re cautious.”
“That’s called common sense.”
Eanora grinned.
“Let’s spar.”
Kyle stared at her.
“You’re serious.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve been reading ancient magic books all evening and now you want to fight?”
“Absolutely.”
Kyle sighed.
But he raised his sword.
“Fine. One round.”
Eanora attacked immediately.
Her strike was fast.
Kyle barely blocked in time.
The wooden swords clashed with a sharp c***k.
Eanora moved quickly, stepping sideways and striking again. Her movements weren’t perfectly trained like a knight’s, but they were clever and unpredictable.
Kyle adjusted his stance.
Block.
Step.
Counter.
Eanora ducked beneath his swing and tried to strike his side.
Kyle twisted away.
“You’re leaving yourself open,” he said.
“You talk too much.”
She swung again.
Kyle stepped forward and tapped her ankle with the wooden sword.
Eanora stumbled.
Kyle lowered his blade.
“Point for me.”
She straightened quickly.
“That was unfair.”
“You left your guard open.”
“You distracted me.”
“With what?”
“Talking.”
Kyle laughed.
“You started the fight.”
Eanora pointed her sword again.
“Another round.”
Kyle shook his head.
“You never quit.”
“Not when I’m losing.”
This time Kyle attacked first.
The duel grew faster.
Eanora watched his movements carefully, learning with each strike.
Kyle was stronger.
But she was quicker.
Their swords locked for a moment.
Kyle leaned closer.
“You’re thinking too much.”
“And you’re underestimating me.”
She twisted suddenly.
Kyle’s sword slipped.
Eanora tapped his shoulder.
They both froze.
Kyle groaned.
“You got lucky.”
“Strategy,” she said proudly.
Kyle shook his head.
“You’re reckless.”
“And you’re predictable.”
Kyle studied her carefully.
There was a spark in her eyes..the same spark she had whenever she discovered something exciting.
Or dangerous.
“What are you planning?” he asked.
Eanora smiled slowly.
“I found something in the library.”
Kyle sighed.
“Oh no.”
She pulled the parchment with the runic diagram from her pocket.
“These symbols lead to an ancient ruin outside the city.”
Kyle stared at the map.
“You want to go there.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“It’s probably a trap.”
“It’s a discovery.”
Kyle rubbed his forehead.
“You’re going to get yourself killed.”
Eanora crossed her arms.
“Then come with me.”
Kyle stared at her.
“You’re serious.”
“You’re the strongest fighter I know.”
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, Kyle sighed.
“You are the most stubborn person in this kingdom.”
Eanora smiled brightly.
“I know.”
Kyle looked again at the map.
“…When?”
Her grin widened.
“Tomorrow.”
And somewhere beyond the city walls, hidden beneath ancient ruins, a power long forgotten waited silently in the darkness.
Waiting for someone brave or reckless enough to find it.
- Writer
